K2Net

K2Net was designed to permit remote control of an Elecraft K2 across a network, or the Internet. Consequently, it consists of two programs.

K2Server is the component that communicates directly with the K2. It is connected via the serial port and the sound card to the transceiver.

K2Client is the user interface. It connects to the server using TCP/IP.

K2Client is meant to provide a virtual front panel for the K2, and mirrors its operation almost exactly. It is not meant to be a full function computer control and logging program, although a basic logging facility is built in, to provide a way of recording contacts made using it. The buttons and knobs are all functional (except for the AF Gain and RF Gain which are analog controls.)

K2Net supports CW and SSB transmit. CW transmit uses the K2's CAT CW keying capabilities to send CW by typing text into a window. You can type ahead while the other station is sending, or you can type and the program will send your text a complete word at a time. You can define up to 16 macro buttons containing preset text, commands and values that are completed at runtime (such as call, name and report.)

K2Net also supports the use of a CW receive decoder (CWGet). If used, received and decoded code is displayed in a receive window, and words such as call, name, report and QTH can be selected and copied to log fields in the transmit window where they will be picked up and used in macro texts.

To transmit SSB you need a good microphone plugged into the client PC's sound card. The SSB control window is shown above. A button below the picture of a microphone functions as a PTT. Alternatively you can have the microphone live during receiving and use the K2's VOX to control TX/RX. The squelch control helps to save network bandwidth by streaming audio only when you are actually speaking.